When Jon opened his eyes, he was greeted with the familiar sight of a System notification. A swift glance towards the System Introduction timer let him know that barely two hours had passed since he began his meditation.

Letting out a yawn, Jon tapped on the notification alerting him to his newest Mortal Title Fragment.

Mortal Title Fragment "Sui Generis": Increases the effectiveness of all abilities with the Self Trait.

Humming, Jon scratched the back of his head, wondering if this Mortal Title Fragment was different to the others, considering that it was two words rather than one. The name of the Mortal Title Fragment itself brought up some near-forgotten memories of one rainy afternoon.

'Sui Generis… it is Latin if I am not mistaken. I can remember the seating positions of everyone in that class. Their names. Facial features. Even the scores they obtained during our final exams. But, for the life of me I cannot seem to remember the meaning, even with my Sea Of Knowledge,' Jon frowned, his failure to recall the details of this word slightly annoying him to no end.

This gaze lingered on the final few words of his newest Mortal Title Fragment, causing Jon to glance towards his status page, examining which of his abilities possessed such a trait.

'The Self Trait huh? The only ability in my possession with such a Trait is [Mine Is The Sea Of Knowledge]. I do not quite understand what the requirements an ability must possess to have such a Trait, but it does not seem that useful in comparison to the other three Mortal Title Fragments I possess.'

With Sui Generis, Jon now possessed a total of four Mortal Title Fragments.

Jon obtained his first Mortal Title Fragment Pathstrider after the first time he peered into his Source, although suspected that was not the requirement needed to obtain such a Title.

His second Mortal Title Fragment Killer was obtained after he killed Han Of The Red Wind. The requirements needed to gain this Title were obvious, kill another sentient individual.

Jon's third Mortal Title Fragment Adept was given to him upon the completion of the first mandatory System task. Given that this particular Title was given to him through the System, Jon did not think that this Title would be available to others outside of the System Introduction.

And now, he possessed Sui Generis. One whose requirements were unknown to Jon.

The eighteen-year-old did not complain about obtaining this Mortal Title Fragment, although felt as though the Title Fragment was just given to him, rather than him having to work for it, as he did his previous three Title Fragments.

Despite this, Jon was now one Title Fragment closer to obtaining a complete Title. As such, he was one step closer to completing the eleventh mandatory System task.

Lifting his gaze towards the twisting roots around his form, Jon smiled before patting one of them. The branches and leaves of the lustrous bodhi tree shifted, seeing that its summoner had exited his meditation.

"I was wondering if I could get your opinion on something Rana?" Jon said opening his task reward page. Three fragments of his choice still remained, waiting to be claimed.

"Yes? What can I help you with Jon?" Rana responded.

"Given the fragments that I have already integrated, what should I look to improve on next?" asked Jon. The eighteen-year-old leaning against Rana's main trunk, knowing that the bodhi tree would not bring harm to him.

Although Jon was sure that it was because Rana could speak any language that Jon could, he found himself spending an increasing amount of time with the bodhi tree. Not having to worry about the pronunciation of certain words, or grammatical errors, or even his accidental use of "familial" language over "respectful" or even "casual" Nain.

After Rana had explained the nature of summoning abilities to him, Jon had understood why Rana took such a keen interest in Jon's development and safety.

If she died, he could always bring her back. Provided he perform the associated summoning ritual once more.

If Jon died, Rana would die to. This time, there would be no-one to bring her back.

It was why Ru Luan Di and Avahni's newest summon Huo Liyu, treated her with the utmost care and affection. She was their entire world. If their world died, eventually they would just wither away and crumble into nothingness.

Adjusting her leaves and branches, Rana allowed several beams of sunlight to pierce through her canopy. The whiteish-yellow sunlight struck patches of Jon's upper body, warming the flesh of his arms and shoulders.

"Before, when I informed you of the universal fragments, I did not ask what you had already integrated. Given that you have used one of your task rewards on a Fragment Of Spirit, I can assume that you must have integrated at least one or two more universal fragments?" Rana queried.

"Yeah. Before summoning you, I had already integrated a Fragment Of Mind, Fragment Of Heart and a Fragment Of Marrow. That leaves the Fragment Of Incarnation, and the Fragment Of Transcendence left amongst the universal fragments." Jon admitted, informing Rana of the details of his four abilities.

[Fragment Of Mind] [Mine Is The Sea Of Knowledge] (Knowledge, Mind, Passive, Ability, Enhancement, Resistance, Self)

[Fragment Of Heart] [Lamentations Of A Frozen Affection] (Ice, Heart, Mutation, Ability, Passive)

[Fragment Of Marrow] [Ours Is The Blood That Births Winter And Ice] (Ice, Marrow, Mutation, Ability, Enhancement)

[Fragment Of Spirit]

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. [Thou Art The Monarch Of Spears And Truth] (Spear, Spirit, Mutation, Ability, Spell, Curse, Debuff)

Rana let out a small hum, hearing the effect descriptions of all four abilities.

"You also mentioned before that you possess a faint attraction towards abilities with the Mutation Trait?", Rana asked.

Nodding, Jon informed Rana of his two other abilities with the Mutation Trait. Their effect descriptions as well.

[Fragment Of Shadow] [Thou Is But A Shadow Of Oneself] (Knowledge, Shadow, Mutation, Enhancement, Spell, Perception, Resistance)

[Fragment Of Eyes] [Eyes Through The Looking Glass] (Knowledge, Eyes, Mutation, Enhancement, Spell, Perception, Sensory)

"Interesting. While the integration of a Fragment Of Eyes often leads to some sort of physical mutation, the fact that it decided to integrate it into a Knowledge Mana Core is quite interesting all things considered. I would not have expected a mutation to occur. And your Hades-Sagacity Shadow, how peculiar. One would expect someone with a Shadow Mana Core to possess a mutated shadow, but one born from a Fragment Of Shadow and a Knowledge Mana Core? I do not think I have ever met someone with such a combination." Rana flicked her branches gracefully, examining all the information that Jon had given her.

"How many fragments do you have in your possession?" Rana questioned.

Tapping on his fingers for a few seconds, Jon repeated the names of all the fragments he still had in his duffel bag. In addition to the fact he possessed the opportunity to obtain three fragments of his choice.

"So apart from the Fragment Of Destruction in your possession, you have a total of thirteen fragments on hand. Plus, three of your choice. Given that you possess numerous passive physical enhancements, in addition to [Stance Of The White Star] and [Dance Of The Cold Star] which increase specific physical characteristics, fragments which provide similar effects should be ignored, at least in my opinion," Rana stated, causing Jon to nod in response.

"Sounds reasonable. Overloading my Seir-Glacial Heart and Murmur-Glacial Marrow can produce the same effect as if I integrated a Fragment Of Strength, or a Fragment Of Might," Jon noted.

"Not only that, but too many abilities which increase physicality or specific physical qualities will produce a greater strain on your body. Too much potential kinetic energy and you mind explode if you overload one too many abilities at once. Not to mention the fact that it would reduce your spiritual energy expenditure." Rana explained, causing Jon to straighten his posture, a horrified expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, did you say, explode?" the human asked.

Rana tilted her branches and leaves up and down, affirming his question.

"Without specific Fragments, or a combination of certain Mana Cores, someone like yourself could physically explode. Or rather, your muscles and tendons would produce so much kinetic energy, that it would burst out of your flesh, shattering bones and internal organs on their way out."

Jon blinked, gulping at the mental image.

It affirmed his decision not to choose a Fragment Of Might or a Fragment Of Force as one of his task rewards. Possibilities of him choosing a Strength Mana Cores or even Titan Mana Cores were plunged into the furthest depths of Jon's mind.

"Do not concern yourself with such a thing Jon. Mana Cores should not be the focus of your attention. Now, given your slight… disposition towards abilities with the Mutation Trait, would you be comfortable integrating something like a Fragment Of Stomach, or even a Fragment Of Scales?" the bodhi tree asked.

Jon opened his mouth to speak, but paused, thinking about the question carefully for a few moments.

"I think… I would not mind. A Fragment Of Stomach sounds kind of interesting, not going to lie. And while there is something about the Fragment Of Scales that disinterests me, if it was amongst the options in front of me, I would consider taking it." He said, his tone calm and thoughtful.

"But you would not waste a task reward on a Fragment Of Scales?" Rana inquired.

Jon almost immediately shook his head in response.

While there was no sensation of rejection or disgust within him, Jon did not feel any affinity towards a Fragment Of Scales. Even though a Fragment Of Scales would mesh quite well with a Dragon Mana Core, Jon felt his desire towards either of them lessen as more time passed.

In fact, Jon would rather test his luck and integrate a Fragment Of Stomach, regardless of his dwindling task rewards.

"I see. Then we have taken the first step towards deciding what type of fragments you should integrate. Abilities with the Mutation Trait should take priority, but you cannot construct a tower using a single brick as the foundation. The Spear Mana Core is one inherently born for combat and fighting. Fragments which increase the effectiveness of your spear or allow you to perform enhanced attacks should be the primary focus of your fourth Mana Core."

Jon nodded in agreement.

"Assail is a type of barred spear, one suitable for both slashing and thrusting. Perhaps both a Fragment Of Slash and a Fragment Of Pierce should be a good start?", Jon suggested, looking up towards the bodhi tree.

He watched as Rana shook her branches although not quite in confirmation.

"I would suggest choosing one over the other. Even if you manage to come across a Fragment Of Pierce in the coming days. I cannot explain the details; however, it would be important after ascending from Mortality and obtaining Knighthood", the bodhi tree alluded, not giving any more information regarding the Rank above Mortal.

Jon nodded his head, understanding why Rana could not tell him.

If it hurt his chance to obtain more Mortal Title Fragments or another level on one of his task rewards, he would regret being told the information as well.

"Regarding the three free slots within your Wood Mana Core, I would suggest reserving the Fragment Of Incarnation for at least one of them. For your Ice Mana Core, perhaps one ranged Spell, or even a supportive Spell, given that you are accompanied by Wilheim and Avahni", Rana proposed, causing Jon to perk up at the mention of his two companions.

The human was considering integrating the Fragment Of Myriad into his Ice Mana Core, and Fragment Of Barrier into Wood Mana Core.

From what Rana explained about the nature of Fragments of Myriad; abilities manifested through such a fragment were often random. If two individuals with the same Mana Core both integrated a Fragment Of Myriad, the Traits and effects of each ability could be completely different from one another.

There was however, one advantage that a Fragment Of Myriad possessed, that other fragments did not.

The number of effects a Fragment Of Myriad would manifest would be doubled.

Integrating a Fragment Of Myriad was worth the same as integrating two fragments. Something that sparked Jon's interest quite a bit.

"I also once possessed a Fragment Of Barrier, albeit one that was integrated into a Life Mana Core. The name of the ability was [Four-Layered Life-Root Barrier], at least, that was what it was called after I transformed it."

"The effects of my [Four-Layered Life-Root Barrier] allowed me to chant and then manifest a four-layered barrier. Each individual layer of the barrier could prevent the entry of a specific type of spiritual energy. Once one layer of the barrier was broken or penetrated, I was granted a buff capable of boosting various qualities and resistances".

"After obtaining sufficient mastery over the Spell, I was able to strengthen the effects of an individual layer at the cost of one or more other layers. It was even possible for me to stack layers on top of one another, dramatically increasing its resistance towards a single type of spiritual energy".

Rana extended a branch towards Jon, poking him in the chest with an almost imperceptible amount of force.

"The greatest achievement I performed using the [Four-Layered Life-Root Barrier] was inversing the nature of the ability. Instead of using the barrier to prevent entry against unwanted opponents or spiritual energy, I could manifest it around a target, preventing them from exiting or leaving without my permission."

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